State v. Montoya

2005 NMCA 005, 104 P.3d 540, 136 N.M. 674

• Court: New Mexico Court of Appeals
• Decided: January 4, 2005
• Docket: 24,192
• Status: Published

Opinions

OPINION

FRY, Judge.

{1} In State v. Stein, 1999-NMCA-065, 127 N.M. 362, 981 P.2d 295, we examined the definition of “household member” in the Crimes Against Household Members Act, NMSA 1978, §§ 30-3-10 to -16 (1995, prior to 2001 amendment) (CAHMA), and concluded that the crime of “battery against a household member does not encompass battery against one’s own child.” Stein, 1999— NMCA-065, ¶ 19, 127 N.M. 362, 981 P.2d 295. The victim in Stein, however, was the 13-year-old daughter of the accused. Id. ¶ 4. Today we must decide whether a defendant who has battered his adult son may be convicted of battery against a household member. We conclude that he may on the ground that the exclusion recognized in Stein applies only to the minor children of the perpetrator.

BACKGROUND

{2} Following a scuffle with Victim, Defendant was charged with battery against a household member. Victim was the 28-year-old son of Defendant and had been estranged from his father for several years. On Father’s Day, Victim was out driving with his wife and their two children when they encountered Defendant riding his bicycle. Conflicting versions of the events that followed were presented at trial. Victim and his wife both testified that Defendant rode in front of their car and flipped them off. They testified that when Victim asked Defendant if there was something wrong with his finger, Defendant got off his bike, approached the car, swore at Victim in Spanish, choked him, and threw coins at him. They also testified that when Victim got out of the car, Defendant punched Victim twice in the face before Victim retaliated with blows of his own. Defendant, on the other hand, testified that Victim called Defendant a “bum” and a “hobo” and threatened to run over him with his car. According to Defendant, when Victim got out of his car, he struck Defendant, and Defendant fought back only in self-defense. Rejecting Defendant’s version of the events, the district court found Defendant guilty of battery against a household member.

DISCUSSION

Finality

{3} Preliminarily, we address whether the district court’s order on trial de novo is a final, appealable order. Originally, Defendant was convicted by a jury in magistrate court of battery against a household member. He was sentenced by the magistrate court to 364 days in jail with ah 364 days suspended. Defendant then appealed his conviction to the district court where a trial de novo was held. Following a bench trial, the district court entered an order finding Defendant guilty of battery against a household member and remanding to the magistrate court “for imposition of the original sentence.”

{4} As the State correctly notes, when a defendant is convicted in a trial de novo on appeal from magistrate court, the district court is required to impose a sentence prior to remanding the case to the magistrate court for enforcement of the district court’s judgment. NMSA 1978, § 35-13-2(0) (1996). When the district court enters an order of remand to the magistrate court that does not resolve the issue of sentencing, this Court has held that the order is not final and appealable. State v. Cordova, 114 N.M. 22, 23, 833 P.2d 1203, 1204 (Ct.App.1992); see also State v. Garcia, 99 N.M. 466, 471, 659 P.2d 918, 923 (Ct.App.1983) (recognizing that a final judgment in a criminal case either adjudicates the defendant guilty and imposes, suspends, or defers sentence or dismisses the charges).

{5} Here, the district court did not impose a sentence but remanded to the magistrate court “for imposition of the original sentence.” As the State acknowledges, on remand, the magistrate court will have no discretion to revisit the issue of sentencing, but must simply enter the sentence previously imposed. See State v. Gage, 2002-NMCA-018, ¶ 20, 131 N.M. 581, 40 P.3d 1025 (explaining that the magistrate court has no jurisdiction or authority to exceed the mandate of the district court); see also State Celusniak, 2004-NMCA-070, ¶9, 135 N.M. 728, 93 P.3d 10 (“On remand, the magistrate court proceeds with the case in keeping with the mandate of the district court.”). Therefore, because the magistrate court will lack authority to make any substantive determination regarding Defendant’s sentence, and -will be limited to the purely ministerial act of imposing the original sentence, we conclude that the order on trial de novo is final for purposes of appeal. Cf. State v. Candy L., 2003-NMCA-109, ¶ 6, 134 N.M. 213, 75 P.3d 429 (dismissing appeal as premature where “we are not merely awaiting a ministerial act, but rather a substantive determination” of the child’s restitution plan); State v. Ahasteen, 1998-NMCA-158, ¶ 13, 126 N.M. 238, 968 P.2d 328 (applying the doctrine of practical finality to permit appeal from an order of remand).

Preservation

{6} Next we address the issue of preservation raised by the State. According to the State, Defendant failed to preserve his argument that Victim is not a “household member” within the meaning of the CAHMA, and thus cannot raise the issue for the first time on appeal. In particular, the State points out that Defendant did not argue that his “child” or “adult son” cannot be considered a “family member” or “relative” under Section 30-3-11, and did not refer to Stein in the district court. We conclude that the issue of whether Victim meets the statutory definition of “household member” was adequately preserved.

{7} “The New Mexico Rules of Appellate Procedure require a ruling or decision by the district court to be ‘fairly invoked’ in order to preserve a question for review.” State v. Jason F., 1998-NMSC-010, ¶ 9, 125 N.M. 111, 957 P.2d 1145; Rule 12-216(A) NMRA. The primary purposes of the preservation requirement are “(1) to alert the trial court to a claim of error so that it has an opportunity to correct any mistake, and (2) to give the opposing party a fair opportunity to respond and show why the court should rule against the objector.” State v. Gomez, 1997-NMSC-006, ¶ 29, 122 N.M. 777, 932 P.2d 1. As an appellate court, we bear these dual purposes in mind when we apply the preservation requirement. Gracia v. Bittner, 120 N.M. 191, 195, 900 P.2d 351, 355 (Ct.App. 1995).

{8} During closing argument, the prosecutor recited the essential elements of battery against a household member, including that Victim was a “household member.” The prosecutor then argued that there was evidence to support each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, and that Defendant was the first aggressor. Defense counsel disagreed, arguing that the elements of battery on a household member had not been met, and that Defendant acted in self-defense. Defense counsel’s objection, while broad and nebulous, appears to have alerted the district court to the issue of whether the definition of “household member” was met because it prompted the court to ask the prosecutor for the statutory definition of the term following the defense’s closing argument. In response to the district court’s inquiry, the prosecutor, during rebuttal, recited the applicable statutory definition and argued that the definition was met under the facts of this case. Specifically, she stated that “co-habitation is not necessary” for Victim “to be deemed a household member” and that the definition was met because Defendant “is a parent” of Victim. After reviewing the evidence in chambers, the district court returned on the record to announce its finding that Defendant was guilty of battery against a household member.

{9} Based on the foregoing facts, we conclude that the issue of whether Victim falls within the statutory definition of “household member” was fairly presented below. Despite the ambiguity of defense counsel’s objection, the district court was alerted to the question of whether Victim meets the definition of “household member,” the State had an opportunity to respond and argue evidence relating to the issue, and the district court ruled on the issue by finding evidence to support each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. See Garcia ex rel. Garcia v. La Farge, 119 N.M. 532, 540, 893 P.2d 428, 436 (1995) (discussing that although appellants’ “arguménts were not a model of clarity, and certainly could have been made with more specificity, they were sufficient to alert the trial court and opposing counsel to the substance of the argument being made”); State v. Griffin, 2002-NMCA-051, ¶6, 132 N.M. 195, 46 P.3d 102 (concluding that jury instruction issue was preserved where the district court understood the defendant’s argument and made a well-informed ruling on the question); cf. State v. Woodruff, 1997-NMSC-061, ¶ 21, 124 N.M. 388, 951 P.2d 605 (recognizing that the district court may itself fairly invoke a ruling on an issue).

{10} Although no mention of the Stein case was made below, the issue of whether Victim was a “household member” as defined by the applicable statute, the same question addressed in Stein, appears to have been raised and thus was adequately preserved. See Gomez, 1997-NMSC-006, ¶ 30, 122 N.M. 777, 932 P.2d 1 (determining that a party’s failure to cite to specific cases in support of a legal principle was not fatal “so long as the party has asserted the principle recognized in the eases and has developed the facts adequately to give the opposing party an opportunity to respond and to give the court an opportunity to rule”). “The rules that govern the preservation of error for appellate review are not an end in themselves, rather they are instruments for doing justice.” Garcia, 119 N.M. at 541, 893 P.2d at 437. Because we conclude that the preservation requirement was met in this case, we need not consider whether to review the issue on appeal for fundamental error. Id.

Standard of Review

{11} Defendant argues that his conviction must be reversed because the evidence at trial cannot support a finding that Victim was a “household member” within the meaning of Section 30-3-11. “Although framed as a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence, Defendant’s argument requires us to engage in statutory interpretation to determine whether the facts of this ease, when viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, are legally sufficient to sustain a conviction.” State v. Barragan, 2001-NMCA-086, ¶ 24, 131 N.M. 281, 34 P.3d 1157. Thus, underlying issues of statutory interpretation are questions of law reviewed de novo. Id.

Statutory Definition of Household Member and Stein

{12} Under the CAHMA, battery against a household member “consists of the unlawful, intentional touching or application of force to the person of a household member, when done in a rude, insolent or angry manner.” § 30-3-15(A). “household member” is defined under the CAHMA as:

a spouse, former spouse or family member, including a relative, parent, present or former step-parent, present or former in-law, a co-parent of a child or a person with whom a person has had a continuing personal relationship. Cohabitation is not necessary to be deemed a household member for the purposes of the Crimes Against Household Members Act.

§ 30-3-11.

{13} In Stein, this Court concluded that the definition of “household member” in the CAHMA does not include the “child” of the accused. Stein, 1999-NMCA-065, ¶ 19, 127 N.M. 362, 981 P.2d 295. Defendant argues that because he was charged with battering his son, his conviction must be reversed based on this Court’s holding in Stein. Relying on Stein and the omission of the term “child” from the statutory definition of “household member,” Defendant urges us to apply the statute as written. He also argues that words should not be read into the statute and that if the legislature had intended to include minor or adult children in the definition of “household member,” it would have specifically done so. We conclude that Defendant’s reliance on Stein is misplaced and that the holding of that case is limited to the minor children of the accused.

{14} Initially, we address Defendant’s argument favoring an application of the plain meaning rule of statutory construction. See State v. Jonathan M., 109 N.M. 789, 790, 791 P.2d 64, 65 (1990). We find Defendant’s argument unavailing because a plain reading of the applicable statute supports a conclusion that the definition of “household member” includes adult children of the accused. See § 30-3-11; State v. Davis, 2003-NMSC-022, ¶ 6, 134 N.M. 172, 74 P.3d 1064 (explaining that in ascertaining legislative intent we start by looking at the words chosen by the legislature). As we observed in Stein: “On its face, the statutory definition of ‘household member’ would appear to encompass a child of the accused. The definition includes ‘a family member,’ ‘a relative,’ and ‘a person with whom a person has had a continuing personal relationship.’ ” Stein, 1999— NMCA-065, ¶ 11, 127 N.M. 362, 981 P.2d 295. We find other indications that -the definition of “household member” is to be read broadly. The victim need not cohabit or reside with the defendant in order to be a household member. § 30-3-11. Nor is it necessary for the victim to be related to the defendant; “a continuing personal relationship” is sufficient. Id.; cf. State v. Fike, 2002-NMCA-027, ¶ 19,131 N.M. 676, 41 P.3d 944 (concluding that a continuing personal relationship was established where both victim and defendant lived together for several weeks before the incidents in question occurred). Thus, under a plain reading of the broadly drawn statute, Victim would certainly meet the statutory definition of “household member” since he is a “family member” and “relative” of Defendant.

{15} In Stein, however, this Court looked beyond the plain language of Section 30-3-11 because a closer examination of the statute and its background revealed “that the legislative intent was to exclude children.” Stein, 1999-NMCA-065, ¶¶ 11-17, 127 N.M. 362, 981 P.2d 295; see State v. Rivera, 2004-NMSC-001, ¶ 13, 134 N.M. 768, 82 P.3d 939 (explaining that “we have not relied upon the literal meaning of a statute when such an application would be absurd, unreasonable, or otherwise inappropriate”); Davis, 2003-NMSC-022, ¶ 6, 134 N.M. 172, 74 P.3d 1064. We observed that while the definitions of “household member” in the Harassment and Stalking Act, the Criminal Procedure Act, and the Family Violence Protection Act, specifically include the term “child,” the definition in the CAHMA omits the term. Stein, 1999-NMCA-065, ¶14, 127 N.M. 362, 981 P.2d 295. In all other respects, however, the language in the statutory definitions is identical. Id. ¶ 16; see also State v. Trujillo, 1999-NMCA-003, ¶ 8,126 N.M. 603, 973 P.2d 855. In addition, an examination of the legislative history of Section 30-3-11 revealed that the definition of “household member” originally included the word “child,” but that the word was later deleted by amendment and never reinserted. Stein, 1999-NMCA-065, ¶¶ 16-17, 127 N.M. 362, 981 P.2d 295. Concluding that the omission of “child” from Section 30-3-11 was “substantive and purposeful,” id. ¶ 17, this Court determined that the legislature intended to “exclude children” of the accused from the statutory definition. Id. ¶ 11.

{16} For several reasons, we conclude that the exclusion recognized in Stein applies only to the minor children of the accused. First, the victim in Stein was the 13-year-old daughter of the defendant. Id. ¶ 4. Second, because the victim was a minor, the contentions of the defendant and the resulting holding of this Court were necessarily limited to minor children of the accused. See id. ¶ 10. Third, in speculating why “child” was omitted from the statutory definition of “household member,” this Court identified two reasons: (1) conflict with the child abuse statute, and (2) the limited right of parents to impose corporal punishment on their children. Id. ¶ 19. Both rationales apply only to minor children of the perpetrator.

{17} In addition, as the State points out, “child” is defined in the child abuse statute, and elsewhere, as a person under the age of eighteen. NMSA 1978, § 30-6-l(A)(l) (2004) (child abuse statute); NMSA 1978, § 32A-1-4(B) (2003) (Children’s Code). We believe that by omitting the word “child” from the statutory definition of “household member,” the legislature must have intended that only children under the age of eighteen be excluded from the definition. See State ex rel. Human Servs. Dep’t (In re Kira M.), 118 N.M. 563, 569, 883 P.2d 149, 155 (1994) (“We presume the legislature is aware of existing law when it enacts legislation.”); accord State v. Smith, 2004-NMCA-026, ¶ 15, 135 N.M. 162, 85 P.3d 804.

{18} Accordingly, today we reaffirm our holding in Stein, clarifying that only minor children of the accused are excluded from the definition of “household member.” Id. ¶ 19. We note that since our decision in Stein, the statutory definition of “household member” has not been changed. The legislature has made only one amendment to the CAHMA, increasing the penalty of battery against a household member from petty misdemeanor to misdemeanor, apparently responding to the serious and pervasive nature of the problem of domestic violence. See § 30 — 3—15(B).

{19} Having determined that only minor children of the accused are excluded from the definition of “household member,” and that the definition of “household member” is otherwise broad in scope, we conclude that Victim, as the adult son of Defendant, is a relative of Defendant and therefore fits within the definition of “family member” and thus a “household member” within the meaning of the statute. See § 30-3-11. If construed otherwise, the statute would have the absurd result of shielding a parent who has committed battery against an adult child from prosecution under Section 30-3-15, even though the victim is a “family member” or “relative,” while permitting an adult child who has battered a parent to be prosecuted under the statute. See State v. Pearson, 2000-NMCA-102, ¶ 5, 129 N.M. 762, 13 P.3d 980 (“Fundamentally, our role is to effectuate the [l]egislature’s intent as evidenced by the statute’s plain terms and avoid strained or absurd constructions.”).

{20} Defendant argues that because he was estranged from Victim, there was no “continuing personal relationship,” and thus, the State cannot rely on that portion of the statute that defines “household member” as “a person with whom a person has had a continuing personal relationship.” See § 30-3-11. However, because we determine that Victim is a “relative” under Section 30-3-11, the State was not required to prove that Defendant had a continuing personal relationship with Victim. Under the statute, “household member” is defined, in part, as a family member, which term may include a person with whom a person has had a continuing personal relationship, or a number of other relationships, such as a relative. See State v. Ruffins, 109 N.M. 668, 671, 789 P.2d 616, 619 (1990) (“The word ‘or’ is given a disjunctive meaning unless the context of the statute demands otherwise.” (internal quotation marks and citation omitted)). Moreover, insofar as Defendant contends that an estranged family member cannot be a “household member” under the CAHMA, we reject this contention as without merit since Section 30-3-11 expressly includes former spouses, step-parents, or in-laws, who may or may not have had a continuing personal relationship with the accused at the time in question.

[8] {21} Finally, Defendant argues that the statutory definition of “household member” must be strictly construed in his favor under the rule of lenity. See State v. Allen, 77 N.M. 433, 434, 423 P.2d 867, 868 (1967). However, the rule of lenity is reserved “for those situations in which a reasonable doubt persists about a statute’s intended scope even after resort to the language and structure, legislative history, and motivating policies of the statute.” State v. Rowell, 121 N.M. Ill, 116, 908 P.2d 1379, 1384 (1995) (emphasis, internal quotation marks, and citation omitted). Because we find that no such doubt persists after revisiting Stein and applying rules of statutory construction, we reject Defendant’s argument urging us to apply the rule of lenity. We also need not address the State’s arguments concerning the appropriate remedy in the event of reversal, and remand to the district court.

CONCLUSION

{22} Based on the foregoing discussion, we affirm Defendant’s conviction.

{23} IT IS SO ORDERED.

JONATHAN B. SUTIN, Judge (specially concurring). RODERICK T. KENNEDY, Judge (specially concurring).